When reflecting on the journey that has brought me to this point in life, I often envision a winding road, replete with numerous curves and steep inclines and declines. Back when I was 18 years old, if you were to inquire with any of my friends about “Julie's future aspirations,” the unanimous response would have been that I was destined to become a therapist or psychologist. Indeed, at that tender age, that was my sole ambition. Life, however, has a way of unfolding differently from our youthful dreams.
My path to becoming a therapist turned out to be a circuitous one, marked by extensive travel, several relocations, including an international move, and a series of unexpected endeavors. I found myself immersed in experiences I had never envisioned: managing a school nestled within the depths of the Ghanaian rainforest, co-founding a non-profit organization with a dear friend within the Ghanaian community, and embarking on the journey of parenthood with my husband, a relationship now spanning a decade.
The decision to start a family marked the beginning of my journey towards becoming a therapist. I chose to leave my career in education behind to stay at home with our daughter, yet I underestimated how much I would miss working. This prompted a reevaluation of my professional choices, with a fundamental question in mind: What did I truly want to do beyond being a mom for the rest of my life?
The idea of being of service consistently resurfaced, leading me to ponder how I could leverage my own talents and skills to serve society. This curiosity led me to explore various paths, from life coaching to mediation. I undertook the necessary training, volunteered, sought clients, and invested in personal and professional growth. While these journeys contributed to my personal growth and allowed me to serve, they never felt like the right fit.
In 2017, during a hike along the Wainwright Coast to Coast trail with a friend, who was also a life coach, we engaged in numerous discussions on how to assist the people who entered our lives. Amidst the solitude of hiking and conversations with my friend, I rediscovered the aspirations I held as a teenager fresh out of high school. I realized how far I had strayed from those aspirations, yet they still resonated with me. It became clear that I wanted to become a therapist.
Upon returning from the hike, I enrolled in a master's program, marking the beginning of my journey to fulfill the aspirations of my 18-year-old self and to serve others while drawing upon my strengths. I now understand that my younger self wasn't fully prepared to take on the task of helping others through therapy. It required the life experiences I've accumulated up to this point to mold me into the therapist I aspire to be.
My therapy practice is a product of my life experiences, coupled with my education and professional development. I continually strive for personal and professional growth to provide relevant therapy to the individuals who choose to work with me. I draw from my professional background as a special education teacher, a life coach, and now a therapist to create a person-centered therapeutic environment. In this context, my role evolves as a collaborator, partner, and guide when necessary, helping both adolescents and adults attain balance and a deeper understanding of their mental health needs and how to address them.
I'm committed to ongoing learning and the integration of new therapeutic techniques to enrich my toolbox. This allows me to meet you where you are and create a partnership tailored specifically to you. I acknowledge the uniqueness of each individual, and my practice embraces the understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all therapy. I am dedicated to helping you find the path that best suits your needs.
